Just as a matter of interest and curiosity, what's the difference between trade paint and paint sold to the public in DIY sheds? What difficulties would a DIYer encounter when using a trade paint? What sort of finish should be expected if used by someone without professional skills and equipment?

T

Dulux actually do a leaflet which explains the difference but i don't know where you would find it.

Basically trade paints give you more metres per litre, give you better opacity (and can be thinned without losing opacity) and hopefully better durability.

I can't think of a reason why you would struggle with a trade paint as oppose to a retail formulation.

Often retail paints are too thick for use with a brush ie cutting in a ceiling line but when slightly thinned lose opacity so need extra coats.

Give trade paints a try. Avoid gimmicky one coat retail paints because they don't work.

Hope this helps.

As above really.

Trade paints remain as a constant while retail paints go through various fads, Paint pods for example, one coat wonder paint etc.

A decorator will pretty much always use trade paints as he/she knows that a constant quality exists (although that has been put to the test recently)

and

(fitzy)

oops upagumtree beat me to it and got in under fitzy!

But also (upagumtree)

Some diy products are so testing for a tradesman ie wallpaper borders with sticky back and puddingy one coat paints that its hard to see what even a decent diyer expects to achieve by using them.

thanks,and a follow on question, are the paints labelled "Trade" in the DIY sheds, the same stuff that is available from trade outlets, or is it another marketing trick?

Now theres a question that's not easily answered.

B&Q do Dulux Trade but they probably, like other sheds stock 10 litre tubs with TRADE in big letters which is often the cheapest of cheap.

Im afraid thats one for the experienced to figure out.

If you want trade paint at a decent price go to a trade centre and try their budget brands ie gliddens leyland or macphersons.

The correct name for these kind of paints is also one of my favourite words ....... Trixathopic .
Or if you want the other name for them ............ SH.TE

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Too right. I was pretty much the odd one out on the screwfix forum for daring to speak against crown solo - or liquid gold as some of them called it.

Some of those guys actually believed that they could get as good a finish with that stuff as with undercoat and gloss.

One difference is the coverage...crown retail matt emul does 70sm per 5 litres....trade does 85..(officially!)

But trade costs a good ten quid more..for 15 extra metres..worth it?

I have always said if a surface needs 2 coats then it really doesnt matter...if its the difference between 2 coats and 3 then trade could make a difference...but you have to factor in labour costs of doing the third coat as well...

Any branded retail paint is ok.., well the jonnos one is a bit moody I spose, just avoid own brand stuff, in most cases its rubbish and a false economy, unless you really enjoy decorating that much

The main difference is the ingredients..retail paint is for non pros, us pros.....and fordy need a paint that will cover well, and dry quick...we are not that worried about how well it goes on or the smell , because we can alter our style to suit..DIYers however are not as experienced..they need a paint that they can apply easily and is low odour....in order for a paint to have those qualities they have to take something out...the pigment, hence the lack of covering power compared to trade paint..

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No..its the same stuff, no company would take the chance of putting lesser quality trade paint in a tin and selling as the pukka stuff.

And I have had it from the horses mouth about after I asked the same question to someone at dulux a while back

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People actually rate that stuff on a par with 2 coats??? Must not get out a lot maybe?

On the subject of thixotropic paint, does anyone remember a gloss that came out years ago called THIXO? I think it was the first of its kind in the UK and it was like spreading treacle, no matter what temperature it was at, or how much you stirred it. Actually, paints like Solo and Once (which IMO should be called Twice) are lovely compared to Thixo.

It was the ultimate DIY paint, as you could practically trowel it on, with no fear of it running. It gave a whole new meaning to 'brush marks'. Doors looked like ploughed fields!

I remember it mate it was brought out for thicko

Well, I have just had the opportunity to compare Dulux Trade 'Frosted Dawn' Light & Space (£40.62), which was a tinted matt vinyl base, with the retail version (£38), which wasn't vinyl. (Customer already had the latter and insisted she wanted the L & S as it reflected more light - not sure I believe this claim! On the tin it says 'reflects up to twice as much light'...which is pretty meaningless if you think about it).

Anyway, there was no discernible difference in coverage or opacity.

Some people buy that stuff in the belief that they will save on their electric bills im sure..are you sure about the retail version not being vinyl Bradly?

Actually that jogged my memory a bit...I think Dulux have dropped the 'Vinyl bit from their tins..

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